Carolyn Hax: Just own the fact you're a stay-at-home mother

5:38 PM,
Feb. 24, 2014

Written by

Carolyn Hax

Dear Carolyn: I'm thrilled to be able to stay home and raise my three children full-time, but as a former Washingtonian, I still dread being asked "What do you do?" and having to label myself a stay-at-home mother. Any suggestions about rebranding this title so these encounters don't feel so awkward?

And yeah, yeah, I know my job is tougher and more important than many, and that I'm projecting my own feelings onto other people - it's just a hang-up I've never been able to get past. - SAHM Shame

Dear SAHM: Nope, rebranding would only expose your discomfort further, which presumably is the opposite ...